Nosiphiwo went to her res and locked herself in her room. She couldn’t believe how careless she had been. One week at university and she was already behaving recklessly. She was grateful to God that her parents were far away in Cofimvaba. Her father would have asked where she had slept and if he found out, would have flogged her with a sjambok. She threw herself onto her bed and held a pillow against her chest. Before long, she was fast asleep.

“Knock! Knock! Vuka, Nono girl. Hayi bona kusemini,” Sinovuyo, her friend, shouted as she knocked on the door. When Nosiphiwo woke up, she could tell that Sinovuyo had been trying to wake her for quite some time because now she was banging on the door.

“Okay, Sino ndiyeza!” she called out, annoyed, as she got out of bed. “Come in,” she said wearily, opening the door for Sino.

“Hmmm, someone didn’t sleep last night,” Sinovuyo said and smiled naughtily as she came into the room. “I want you to tell me everything, chommie.” She sat down on the bed. “Where did you disappear to with that hot hunk, before the party was even over?”

At least Sinovuyo remembered the guy, and she thought he was hot. Nosiphiwo felt a bit of relief. Sinovuyo couldn’t wait to hear all about what her friend had got up to the previous night. Nosiphiwo knew she wouldn’t be let off the hook easily. Sinovuyo was a blabbermouth and she had a taste for umgosi. She didn’t like not knowing what was going on in other people’s lives – even if they had nothing to do with her.

Sinovuyo and Nosiphiwo had been friends since childhood. They would fight at times, like friends do, but they always made up. Nothing could separate them; even Nosiphiwo’s father failed, although he believed Sino was having a bad influence on his daughter.

“I will tell you everything Sino, on the way to the food court. I haven’t eaten since yesterday and ibhabhalaza iyandibulala, girl,” she complained, glancing at the time on her phone. “Let me get cleaned up first.”

What was she going to tell Sinovuyo? The only thing she remembered was waking up naked next to a guy in his room. Should she make up a good story and lie to her? Sinovuyo wouldn’t dare go to that guy and confirm her story – or would she? Sinovuyo could be impulsive at times. These thoughts ran through Nono’s mind as she went to take a quick shower.

Sinovuyo was sitting on the bed texting when Nosiphiwo came back from the bathroom in clean clothes. She put down her phone and went on about a guy who worked as a receptionist for the university. But Nosiphiwo was not concentrating. She was hungry as a bear and still trying to remember something – anything – about the previous night. What if the guy was not as hot as Sino said he was? What if they had slept without a condom and she had got pregnant? What if she had contracted an STI?

“Girl, just imagine me dating a receptionist. Me? Never!” Sino mused. “I should be going for someone who is going to be rich one day, but he is just so cute. I couldn’t resist.”

“I’m done Sino, let’s go.” Nosiphiwo picked up her purse and they walked out. “Anyways, where did you say you met this receptionist?” she asked, as she locked her room.

“Were you not listening to me? Or are you trying to avoid telling me about your night?” Sinovuyo smiled.

“No chommie, I’m not. But I need lunch first. I promise I will tell you everything including … how it was, you know?” She smiled teasingly.

“Hmmm! Naughty you! Let’s walk faster my bestie. You know me, I don’t like waiting too long for umgosi,” Sinovuyo said, excitedly.

As they arrived, Sinovuyo spotted Bulelani at the food court, queuing to be served. “There he is, chommie,” she whispered to Nosiphiwo.

“Who?” Nosiphiwo was confused.

“Your guy.” Sinovuyo rolled her eyes.

“Where?” Nosiphiwo’s heart beat faster as she looked around. She wondered how Sinovuyo recognised him. It had been so dark and crowded at the party.

“There!” Sinovuyo said and pointed at Bulelani. “Behind la girl une weave maan.”

“Don’t point. I see him,” Nosiphiwo said, hitting Sinovuyo’s hand down.

What should she do? Walk to him or walk away? If she walked to him, what was she going to say? No, she must buy food from somewhere else. These thoughts raced through her mind.

“Let’s get some chip rolls from Rabia’s instead,” she said turning back.

“No. Why? Was it so terrible that you don’t wanna talk to him?” Sinovuyo grinned.

“No! What? Don’t be silly, Sino.”

They were still debating what to do when the problem was solved: Bulelani walked up to them.

***

Tell us: What do you think Bulelani is going to say to Nono?